Polymeric polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates



United States Patent POLYMERIC POLYFLUOROALKYL PHOSPHONITRILATES Rudi F. W. Riitz and Christoph J. Grundmann, Colum- 1 bus, Ohio, assignors to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia No Drawing. Application July 3, 1957 Serial No. 669,700

13 Claims. c1. 260-461) have never been isolated (analyzed) despite the fact that the reactions of the phosphonitrilic chlorides (PNCl with various alcohols have been the subject of considerable study. The reason for this appears to be partly the thermal instability of the phosphonitrilates and partly their tendency for polymerization. For example, the reaction product of trimeric phosphonitrilic chloride and sodium ethylate is a viscous oil which forms a high polymeric product on standing at room temperature. On moderate heating, however, the ethylphosphonitrilate splits ofi diethylether with formation of a resinous material.

It has now been found, however, that surprisingly the alkali metal salts of polyfluoro carbinols react with the various phosphonitrilic halides to provide thermoresistant condensation products which are easily identified by analysis of the distilled product as polyfluoroalkyl esters of phosphonitrilic acids.

The polymeric phosphorus nitrilic halides (or phosphonitrile halides) suitable for the reaction have the formula 4 z L (I) wherein X is chlorine, bromine or fluorine but preferably chlorine or bromine and n is a whole number, e. g. a small whole number of at least 3 and up to 7 or higher. For example, (Cl PN), trimeric and tetrameric halides are particularly useful. The alkali metal salts of the polyfluoro carbinols have the formula V c. g. 1 to lithium or Y- (P2) -cmoM wherein Y is H or F, m is awhole number, 20, and M is an alkali metal, e. g. sodium, potassium.

The reaction proceeds as follows:

. Thus, the new polymeric polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates have the Formula 111 above wherein m and Y have the same meanings as in Formula II and n has the same meaning as in Formula I, i. e. a whole number, e. g. a small whole number of at least 3 and up to 7'or and (Br PN), are useful. The

units in the polymeric nitrilic halide.

The tetrameric bis-polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates have the formula:

P Y.(0F2)...0H20 OCHz(CF2)m.Y (v) 1 The polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates are prepared in very good yields by admixing the phosphonitrilic chlorides with the alkali metal polyfluoro alcoholate. The reaction is preferably carried out with a diluent or solvent for the alkali metal alcoholate, for example an excess of the employed polyfluoro alcohol, or an inert solvent like benzene, toluene, xylene or ligroine and dioxane. The alkali metal sodium is preferred but the reaction can be carried out as well with lithium or potassium. The reaction proceeds in general at temperatures between C. and C. The alkali metal halide formed in the reaction is generally insoluble in the applied solvent. The end ofthe reaction can be determined by the point Where no more alkali metal halide is formed. The salt can be removed by filtration or by washing with water. The remaining product is then separated by distillation.

In the reaction, as noted in the equation described above, the stoichiometric proportions of the reactants are dependent on the number of units in the polymeric phosphorus nitrilic halide, i. e. the moles of the metal alcoholate used equals the number of moles of the polymeric nitrilic halide used multiplied by twice the number of For example, the a trimeric nitrilic halide is used to six moles of the metal alcostoichometric ratio when is one mole of the trimer holate.

The new polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates are low melting or liquid, almost odorless and colorless compounds. In general they are insoluble in water, but miscible or of very good solubility in most common organic solvents. They are not inflammable. They have a remarkable thermal stability and can be distilled under atmospheric pressure without decomposition. By proper choice of the polymeric phosphonitrilic halide and the fluorinated alcohol products with boiling points ranging from 250 C. to 500 C. and more can be obtained. The new polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates are also unusually chemical resistant, especially against oxidation, even to the extent that the commonly adopted methods of organic elementary analysis by combustion over cupric oxide in a stream of oxygen do not completely destroy these new compounds. Contrary to ordinary esters, the new compounds are extremely difficult to hydrolyze. Refluxing with concentrated nitric acid or concentrated aqueous alkali hydroxides does not attack these products to any measurable amount. They even can be distilled at atmospheric pressure over sodium metal without decomposition. These remarkable properties make these new polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates valuable for many industrial applications. They can be used as heat transfer media, high temperature lubricants, transformer oils, fireretardant plasticizers and hydraulic fluids.

The new compounds will be further described in the following examples.

EXAMPLE I Trimeric bis-1,1,H,H-pentafluoropropyl-phosphonitrilate (m=2, Y=F) 2( 2)2 ]2]:; Metallic sodium (3.45 grams),

was added to 45.0 grams of pentafluoropropanol. To

cut into small pieces,

minutes. After two hours refluxing and standing overnight, the formed sodium chloride was removed by filtration. The solvent was then distilled oft, whereby 20.7 grams of an ,oily residue was obtained which dis tilled without decomposition under atmospheric pressure. For purification the product was distilled again in vacuo, B. P./6 m-m.: 136.5 C., n 1.3365. Melting point: l6?-18 0., yield: 86.4%.. The compound is a colorless oil, soluble in ether, ethanol, aromatic hydrocarbons and insoluble in Water.

Calcd. for (c H,F N0,P 0, 21,00; H, 1.17; F, 55.39; N, 4.08; P, 9.03. Found: C, 20.99, 20.93; H, 1. 59, 1.50; F, 54.23, 54.07; N, 5.25, 5.32; P, 9.10, 9.41.

The ebullioscopic molecular weight determination in benzene. gave the value 835, calcd. for (C H F NO P) 1029. If: this compound is heated to 210 C. anda rapid stream of dry air is passed through for two hours, the. refraction index remains absolutely constant and the product is still colorless.

EXAMPLE II Trimeric bis !,I,H,H-heptafluorobutyl-phosphonitrilate (m=3, Y=F) This compound was obtained quite analogousto the preceding description from 92 grams of heptafluorobutanol, (PNCIQ Colorless oil; B. P./3 mm.; 154 C., n 1.3309; yield: 84 percent.

C lcd. for C24H12F42N305P3: C, H, N, 3.16; P, 6.99. Found: C, 20.94, 21.10; H, 1.22, 1.39; N, 3.27, 318; P, 6.79, 6.65.

EXAMPLE III Tetrameria bis1,1,H,H-pentafluoropropyl-phosphonitrilate (m=2, Y=F) This compound was, also obtained according to the procedure described above from 21.5 grams, pentafluoropropanol, 1.5 grams of sodium and 4.2 grams of (PNCl- Colorless oil; B. P./3 mm.; 142'144 C;, n 135-30.; yield: 89 percent.

Calcd; for C24H16F4QN4Q8P4: C, H, F, 55.39; N, 4.08; P, 9.03. Found: C, 20.97; 20.95; H, 1:31, 1.50; F, 55.37, 55.10; N, 4.06, 4.14; P, 9.07, 8.81,

Mol. weight: calcd. 1372; found: (ebullioscopic) 1190;

EXAMPLE -IV Trimeric bisLl-H-trifluorethyl-phosphonitrilate (m=1, Y=F) [NP CH2( F2) 213 Metallic sodium- (2.76 grams) was dissolved in 30 grams of 2,2,2-trifiuoroethanol. The excess of alcohol.

5.3 grams of sodium, and 12.6 grams of grams=99.2%.

4 46.90; N, 5.76; P, 12.75. Found: C, 19.79; H, 2.00; F, 46.06; N, 5.64; P, 12.72.

EXAMPLE V Tetrameric bis-1,1-H-heptafluorobutyl-phosphonitrilate 111:1,- Y"=F) EXAMPLE VI Tetrameric bis-1,1-H-hephafluorobutyl-phosphonitrilate (m=3, Y=F) Metallic sodium (6.6 grams) was dissolved in 100:

grams of heptafluorobutanol and the unreacted fluoroalcoholrecovered by distillation in a moderate vacuum.- After-suspension in 350 milliliters of dry toluen e,-tl 1 e. sodium heptafluorobutoxide was reacted with stirring with-a solution of 13.0 grams of tetramen'c phosphonitrilic chloride in milliliters of dry toluene. After six hoursrefiuxing, the mixture was cooled otf, whereupon most ofthe reaction product separated as a heavyoil. The oily sodium chloride-containinglayerwvas extracted'with etherand, after filtering, the etherremoved by distillation.

distilling ofithe toluene. v mm.; 169.5-171.5 C./3 mm.; melting point. 8485 C. after recrystallization from Skellysolve C. Colorless,

Waxy material. Yield: 40 grams8l percent.

Calcd. for C32H16F56N4O8P4: C, H, N, 3.16; P, 6,99; F, 60.03. Found: C, 22.00, 21.88; H,- 0;79, 0.93; N, 3.21, 3.35; P, 7.23, 7.12; F, 59.86, 59.99.

After refluxing this compound for one hour with 68 percent nitric acid, the product is recovered quantitatively, colorless and unchanged in melting point. Even with the very sensitive ammonium molybdate reagent no traceof phosphate ion can be detected in the acid mother liquor. Refluxing with 30 percent aqueous sodium hy-' droxide is likewise without any detectable efiect on. this compound. The melting point remains unchanged and the substance is not discolored.

EXAMPLE VII Trimeric-bis-J ,1 ,7-H-dodeca-flu0rohepty phosphonitrilate (m=6, Y=H

phosphonitrilicchloride (0.005 mole) in 10 milliliters.

of-toluene was added dropwise with stirring over a period of 10 minutes at 50 C. The reaction was completed byseven hours refluxing. The formed sodium chloride was filtered 011 and the solvent removed by distillation. The,

amount of the remaining crude material was 10.55 Boiling point 2 258260 C. The product crystallized as a waxy colorless material, melting point 32 -36, C. from carbon tetrachloride.

Calcd. for C42H13F73N3P3O6I P, FOundi P, 4.47, 4.51.

The remaining residue was combin d: with a. small amount of the same product, obtained by Boiling point 305 C7743.

EXAMPLE VH1 Tetrameric bis-1,1,7-H-dodecafluoroheptylphosphonitrilate (m=6, Y=H) EXAMPLE IX Trimeric bis-1,1,11-H-eicosa-flu0r0-undecanylphosphonitrilate (m=10, Y=H) [NP[ Z( 2) 10 1213 1,1,1l-trihydroperfluoroundecanol (15.96 grams=0.03 mole) was dissolved in 30 milliliters of absolute ether and 0.72 gram of sodium hydride added. After three hours refluxing formation of the sodium salt was completed. The ether was distilled off in a moderate vacuum and the remaining colorless powder was suspended in 50 milliliters of dry tetraline. A solution of 1.74 grams of [PNC1213 (0.005 mole) in 30 milliliters of tetraline was then dropwise added with stirring at 70 C. The mixture was finally held for six hours at 175 C. while stirring was continued. After cooling off, the tetraline insoluble reaction product, mixed with sodium chloride, was collected on a Biichner-funnel. This material was extracted with two portions of 50 milliliters of water of 70 C. in order to remove sodium chloride. The crude phosphonin'ilate then was dried over P 0 for 24 hours and finally vacuum-distilled from a metal bath. At first at 160 C./2 mm. a small amount of unreacted 1,1,11-trihydro-perfluoroundecanol distilled over, then the phos phonitrilate at 320 C.-324 C./2 mm. Yield: 80%. The product melts at 103-105 C. after recrystallization from toluene. The compound is soluble in ether and acetone.

EXAMPLE X Tetram eric bis-1 ,1 -1 1 -H-eicosafluoroundecany lphosphonitrilate (m=10, Y=H) This compound was obtained in a similar manner as described in Example IX, using toluene instead of tetraline as a solvent. From 21.28 grams of 1,1,11-H-eicosafluoroundecanol (0.04 mole), 0.96 gram of sodiumhydride and 2.32 grams of tetrameric phosphonitrilic chloride (0.005 mole) a crystalline colorless material (20 grams=90%) was obtained. Boiling point M 312320 C. It melts at 102-105 C. after recrystallization from toluene.

What is claimed is:

6 1. Polymeric polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates of the formula wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine, m is a whole number from 1 to 20 and n is a whole number from 3 to 7.

2. Trimeric bis-1,1,H,H-pentafluoropropyl-phosphonitrilate.

3. Trimeric bis-1,1,H,H-heptafluorobutyl-phosphonitrilate.

4. Tetrameric bis-1,1,H,H-pentafluoropropyl-phosphonitrilate.

5. Trimeric bis-1,1,7-H-dodeca-fluoroheptyl-phosphonitrilate.

6. Tetrameric bis-1,l,7-H-dodeca-fluoroheptyl-phosphonitrilate.

7. The method of producing polymeric polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates which comprises admixing a polymeric phosphorus nitrilic halide of the formula (X PEN) wherein n is a whole number of from 3 to 7 and X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine,

bromine and fluorine, with an alkali metal salt of a polyfluoro carbinol of the formula Y- (CF ).,,,-CH OM wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine, m is an integer of from 1 to 20 and M is an alkali metal, at a temperature and for a time and in proportions eifective to produce the polymeric polyfluoroalkyl phosphonitrilates.

8. The method of claim 7 in which the temperature varies from about C. to about C.

9. The method of claim 8 in which the phosphorus nitrilic halide is trimeric phosphorus nitrilic chloride and the carbinol salt is the sodium salt of pentafluoropropanol.

10. The method of claim 8 in which the phosphorus nitrilic halide is trimeric phosphorus nitrilic chloride and the carbinol salt is the sodium salt of heptafluorobutanol.

11. The method of claim 8 in which the phosphorus nitrilic halide is tetrameric phosphorus nitrilic chloride and the carbinol salt is the sodium salt of pentafluoropropanol.

12. The method of claim 8 in which the phosphorus nitrilic halide is trimeric phosphorus nitrilic chloride and the carbinol salt is the sodium salt of 1,1,7-trihydroperfluoroheptanol.

13. The method of claim 8 in which the phosphorus nitrilic halide is tetrameric phosphorus nitrilic chloride and the carbinol salt is the sodium salt of 1,1,7-trihydroperfluoroheptanol.

References Cited in the file of this patent Hamalainen et a1.: Textile Research Journal 26, No. 2, February 1956, pp. 141-144. 

1. POLYMERIC POLYFLUOROALKYL PHOSPHONITRILATES OF THE FORMULA
 7. THE METHOD OF PRODUCING POLYMERIC POLYFLUOROALKYL PHOSPHONITRILATES WHICH COMPRISES ADMIXING A POLYMERIC PHOSPHORUS NITRILIC HALIDE OF THE FORMULA (X2P=N)N WHEREIN N IS A WHOLE NUMBER OF FROM 3 TO 7 AND X IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CHLORINE, BROMINE AND FLUORINE, WITH AN ALKALI METAL SALT OF A POLYFLUORCO CARBINOL OF THE FORMULA 